I'm a first-time cruise traveler who just divorced

Hi everyone, I’m a 29-year-old male Hispanic, and I’m looking to take a short cruise, ideally 3 to 4 days over a weekend, just to relax and unwind. I want an experience that lets me turn off my brain and have a good time while also being open to meeting new people (though I’m not specifically looking for a relationship). I think a cruise would be perfect for this, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the best options for a laid-back yet social getaway. Any suggestions?

17 Likes

That sounds like a great fit for you, I think. Where are you planning to cruise from? I have some solo sailing experience, having sailed on Carnival, Royal, Princess, and Norwegian from Baltimore, Vancouver, Seattle, Puerto Rico, and Tampa.

17 Likes

@Alain How did Norwegian go? They supposedly have single suites.

16 Likes

@Alain I’ve been examining FL ports, Royal, and Virgin. Age actually doesn’t matter to me as long as we get along well. I just started looking at this today, so I’m basically a walking book. I’ll try any port or cruise you recommend!

14 Likes

A three- or four-day cruise is never a peaceful experience :tada:

15 Likes

Going solo unless you get a studio cabin will cost you the same as going with someone else. Depending on what ports are near you or you are interested in visiting it should narrow down your options. In general you are going to run into older widows but occasionally you may find some company in your age range. I would try to aim for the following:

Spring Break cruise - if you are looking to party

Virgin Voyages - Going to meet a ton of interesting and cool people on most sailings. Any of their ships would be my first choice to sail solo if I were single again.

NCL - Kinda hesitant to recommend them as the company has been falling apart but they have a great solo program.

Royal Caribbean - Some ships offer solo cabins, I book these when I get a chance to vacation away from my wife and son. Booking a regular interior or central park view cabin on the Utopia of the Seas would be my second choice.

Carnival/MSC - Affordable fun with both possibly offering a fun party scene depending on the ship.

14 Likes

The RCL cruise from Galveston to Cozumel and return is a worthwhile little excursion.

14 Likes

@Candy Many thanks for that!

13 Likes

@Adele Try Cruise Plum as well. Someone pointed me in the direction of their solitary cruise website, where you can cruise alone for a very low price. Although I haven’t used their website to book a cruise, you can utilize their search engine to find pricing.

13 Likes

@Candy Give more details about “NCL-company falling apart.”

I have a trip scheduled from Puerto Rico on one of their newer ships, Viva, for January.

Are there any concerns I should be having?

11 Likes

@Gordon Although they promised significant cost reductions, including the elimination of almost $300 million in ship operations across the fleet, Viva should be alright. They eliminated almost all of their Broadway productions as well as certain ship maintenance problems with older vessels. They have canceled some ports of call, but only after the ship sailed. One such example is the Antarctic trip, which never visited Antarctica, even though they were well aware that this would not happen. Their approach to reducing fuel use has primarily involved canceling ports.

11 Likes

Party cruises last three to four days. Not exactly a leisurely cruise

10 Likes

@Grande Since I’m not very knowledgeable with cruises, I can always extend it. If you have any advice, that would be really appreciated.

9 Likes

@Adele Would a seven-day trip from Seattle to Alaska work?

9 Likes

@Hudson What kind of cruises are those? What was your encounter rate with persons you met there?

9 Likes

@Adele I’ve never gone on a solo cruise till next week. I’m going to take a three-week cruise on one of the big ships by myself. My Alaskan cruise occurred many years ago, before Holland America instituted scheduled meal times and tables. My mother and I went out to eat every night with some really nice people we met. I’m sailing alone with “anytime dining” starting next week, but I expect to still run into other lone travelers. I believe you could enjoy Virgin given your age. If that matters to you, children are not permitted on their cruises. There are lots of families during carnival. Wishing you luck. Anywhere you go, I’m sure you’ll have a good time.

8 Likes

@Grande I concur. I’ve taken over 20 solo cruises on various lines, ranging in length from 3 days to 14 days, and I’ve discovered that cruises lasting less than 7 days are typically party cruises. Your mileage might be different.

7 Likes

Divorce may be very difficult. I apologize for putting you through that. I hope you are able to find true love for yourself from someone you can trust!

6 Likes

@Jayden

Yes. The place to find long-lasting, true love is on short drunken cruises departing from Miami. Hee

5 Likes

Not sure if it was stated before but VV has cabins and rates for solo cruisers.

4 Likes